The Blaze clinch domestic treble with last-ball win over Hampshire

The Blaze completed a domestic treble by edging Hampshire in a dramatic final-ball thriller to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. The Trent Bridge-based side had already secured victories in the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but their path to a third trophy required them to chase a steep target under immense pressure.

Chasing 252, The Blaze found themselves in trouble, needing 17 runs from the final two overs. However, Emma Jones produced a heroic unbeaten 34 from 25 deliveries to guide her side home, hitting the winning boundary off the last ball. She was supported by half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss during the chase.

In reply, Hampshire had posted 251 thanks to strong performances from Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp, both of whom scored fifties. Lucy Higham was the standout bowler for The Blaze, claiming 4-49 to restrict the visitors. Her spell included the crucial wickets of Kemp and Naomi Dattani, along with a brilliant catch by Kirstie Gordon.

Hampshire’s chase had looked promising after an 84-run opening stand between Maia Bouchier and McCaughan. Bouchier fell for a duck after being dropped earlier, while McCaughan continued her form with a confident fifty. A 67-run partnership between McCaughan and Kemp had taken Hampshire to 166-2 in the 32nd over before The Blaze’s bowlers tightened up.

The Blaze’s bowling attack, led by Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, had held Hampshire to just 11 runs in the first five overs before the opening stand shifted momentum. Phillips dismissed Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove, and Amanda-Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs to end the innings.

For The Blaze, the victory capped off a dominant season, adding the one-day crown to their existing white-ball titles. Jones’s match-winning knock ensured her team finished on top in all three domestic competitions.